Acclimating Discus in their New Home   by Vern Archer

I often get asked “Why are Discus fish so jumpy when I take them home from a store or hatchery”?

It’s fairly common for fish introduced to a new tank to look for somewhere they can hide and feel safe. Allow them a filter or plant something they can hide behind. Even placing a temporary piece of cardboard on a portion of the front glass will help.

Points to consider:

- The placement of the aquarium, avoid high traffic areas or near a window that allows sunlight to shine directly into the tank, 
- The height, Discus like to see your face so height is important, try to keep the height at eye level (when your seated watching the fish),
- The amount of light, keep the lights off or very low for a day or so until they become familiar with their new environment,
- Also keep in mind that some of the newer strains or crosses are with the Albino Discus. The Albino red pupil is very sensitive to light and I have read that bright lights can even blind them.  So overall aquarium lighting should be a consideration in making you fish comfortable.

A community tank situation can work if you have the right fish but often the Discus don't do well for a number of reasons;

- Faster and more agressive fish get to the food before the Discus.
- Pathogens that are carried by other species of fish can harm the discus.
- Community tanks usually have gravel bottoms that harbour uneaten food and fish feces which can cause bacteria and disease to flourish in the tank.
- Not all community fish can handle the required higher Discus temperature and the temperature is usually reduced to 80 or 82 F which can impact significantly on a young Discus. Adults can handle this lower temperature but even they, over time, become less active and possibly become sick.

Depending on the age, moving fish to a new environment and keeper can be a very stressful and a dramatic time for the Discus fish. Smaller 2 inch, are mostly interested in food and are fairly trusting of their situation. 
However, as the Discus gets older, 6 months to a year, they become more sensitive and aware of their keeper and surroundings and its at this time they become skittish and not as trusting.   
Adult’s, year and half to two years, are much more knowing of their keeper. They have figured out where the food comes from and, depending on the keeper; they have trust and are comfortable and feel safe in their environment. 
Healthy and happy Discus,  demand food at the front of the tank as soon as they see you. They allow you, their keeper, access to their space for cleaning with very little objection.

Over the years I have put it down to bonding and developing a trust with the fish.   I often ask people how long they spend watching them in a day.  For the most part these highly intelligent fish need to know who you are and that you mean them no harm and that you are the provider of food. Make sure they see you when they feed and associate you with food.  It’s not unusual for young Discus to skip a few meals while going through this adjustment period.  They usually settle into their new home within a couple of days.

As I have stated in earlier articles, new fish should be isolated from your present stock. I use a bare bottom tank so I can collect feces and utilizing a microscope I verify their health. I maintain an 86 to 88 F temperature for young and juvenile fish and I may subdue the light if they are really jumpy. I use indirect light so the Discus can see me sitting watching them. When you move them to their new home make sure the water parameters are close, especially temperature and pH. Dripping the fish (using an airline tube and siphoning water from the new tank to their bag or container) may be required if the pH is not close. If the pH is good then floating the bag until the temperature equalizes is a good idea. Note If the fish appear stressed due to lack of oxygen, introduce water from the tank slowly into the bag as it floats on the surface of the aquarium.  

Discus key in on your eyes and face and small facial gestures like winking to them will usually bring them out of hiding if you are patient enough.